Draghi won the vote – but split the coalition

Three coalition parties chose to boycott the vote of confidence: Lega, Forza Italia and the Five Star Movement. The result is now expected to be Draghi’s resignation and the announcement of new elections, according to AFP.

He wanted to resign

Draghi also managed a vote of confidence last week but then chose to announce his resignation because he felt the support was not enough. The reason is that the Five Star Movement did not participate in the vote, due to the dissatisfaction with Draghi and the support package for Italians that the vote was about.

But rather than resign, President Sergio Matterella persuaded Draghi to reconsider his decision.

It was already clear that the Five Star Movement would not support Draghi during Wednesday’s vote of confidence. But since a splinter group led by Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio with 60 party deputies lent its support to Draghi, he will still have a majority in parliament.

Many parties abstained from voting

Instead, what is crucial to how Wednesday’s election will be held is how Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia and Matteo Salvini’s far-right Lega party will act. They have now chosen to boycott the vote. Despite this, Draghi has received enough support to be able to officially stay, but he is not expected to declare himself the winner.

Lega and Forza Italia say it has been impossible to restore confidence in the ruling coalition after the political crisis caused by the Five Star Movement.

A new coalition is required

On Wednesday, Draghi addressed the Senate, hours before the vote of confidence.

– Mario Draghi said the only way forward is to build a new coalition charter.

Draghi called on Parliament for broad support in order to lead the government and implement the necessary reforms, including participation in the European Union’s support to tackle epidemics.

He said he was touched by the recent support he has received from ordinary Italians as well as from some 2,000 mayors who have signed a petition asking him to remain in office.